The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos

Restaurant food quality is below average, coupled with very very slow and unfriendly service and very expensive. We ate at both BLT and the Italian restaurant by the pool. Two of us did not even eat our overpriced food because it was so bad, we had to eat snacks in the room. They charge $11 for a bottle of water at the restaurants. Property was beautiful but too simple, not a lot on the outside or lobby. The rooms were fantastic, clean and modern. Not a lot of conveniences expected like most resorts. It would have been nice to know they charge a 10% service fee for everything, including clothes at the store, which is probably why service is so bad - no incentive. The water bottles are gross paper containers, but there is a grocery store across the street which has everything you need including real water bottles. That is a plus.

Truly an outstanding resort, quite new, gorgeous setting. Beach is great. Ocean water a little chilly in January. One pool is heated and felt great. Not crowded. Lots of activities. Easy to get first row chaises and poolside chaises. Staff is so welcoming and professional. they don’t take cash but bring plenty for tips. Most workers are locals and friendly and easy to talk to. I hope to come back someday!

With a seaside table we enjoyed warm breezes and wonderful service! The food was delicious. An impressive wine list too!! Our server provided me with a stand to hold my purse! First time for that! You’re gonna love the vibe! A must stop in place for a memorial dining experience!

If I could give this property 10 stars I would. We booked here last minute after being unable to proceed to our final destination due to a medical emergency with my husband. They hooked us up to their on call MD, one of their employees drive us there, the bellman went to the grocery store to purchase items to keep on hand while my husband recuperated. Every single person we met was lovely and reassuring that they would help with whatever we needed. Aside from that, the property is beyond beautiful, the food great, rooms large and clean. As another side note, if you are traveling to this island I’d highly recommend getting travel medical insurance that includes preexisting conditions. The main hospital (Cheshire Hall) is far, far below what we’d consider decent medical care. They flat out refused to admit my husband although he was extremely ill, saying they only had space for people who were “extremely ill”. Our second MD visit was at the Grace Bay Medical center was much better, but this country just doesn’t have the capability to treat anything more than minor illness.

If you are looking for a true Ritz Carlton experience, I would look elsewhere. The property is nice enough though not particularly differentiated from neighboring resorts (although they have three nice restaurants on property that are a cut above nearby, walking distance, options - but short drives/taxis will get you plenty of great options). However, there are many negatives: We arrived just after 3PM for our check in and were told there would be a wait. It wasn’t until about 4:30 that we got to check in and this experience was not unique to us. Many guests complained about the check in process. Some staff also confided in us that it was an ongoing known issue that creates quality of service issues for them. Our ROOM: We were “upgraded” from a junior executive suite to a residence. The residence was a nice enough two bedroom (though we only needed one). However: We were on the eighth floor and the stench from what we assumed was a waste treatment machine or trash was terrible. We waited for the elevator every day dreading the smell until it arrived to rescue us. We initially dared to walk out the back door which was the shorter path to town but after dealing with the stink we re-routed through the resort. The room’s AC unit was so noisy we had to request maintenance to come service it - as we could not sleep. But we had to ask twice because nobody put in a ticket the first time we asked, they had to get a manager involved to make sure it was addressed. After all that they said maintenance had done the best they could and dampened it. And, in fairness, the noise wasn’t gone but it was a bit better. However, a nearby disco’s bass rhythmic beats serenaded us until literally 3AM every night - we were woken up almost every night from it. WIFI: I tested the WIFI every day on an app I have and it was never higher than just over an anemic, not much different than 3G, 2mbs. Right next door at Seven Stars it was around 70mbs. I likewise tested other resorts where we dined, all noticeably what you would expect for WIFI. STAFF: the biggest let down by far was the inconsistent training of the staff. The folks near the pool were largely attentive and delightful as one would expect. The folks at the front desk were a different story. They looked genuinely bothered if you asked them a question or for help of any kind. We also had a dose of a very negative attitude at their Italian restaurant (side note: compare to their BLT Steakhouse where the service was top notch). Overall, we stayed at two other resorts in the past and had consistently MUCH better service at both the Seven Stars and The Palms (the latter by far the best service we encountered). Eight months prior we had stayed next door at the Seven Stars and had walked over to the Ritz for some meals. Impressed with their food, we decided to try them out. After all, their brand is amazing, But therein lies the issue. This property is not representative of the brand we have experienced stateside. We had read warnings of other reviews and brushed them off as many might do after reading this. We thought they were snobby patrons who would pick any little detail out about which to complain. Turns out, we should have listened. That all said, it wasn’t a terrible experience by any stretch. We still had a great time, it’s hard not to when you are in T&C. We lounged at the adult pool (must get there by 6:30AM to get chairs in the sun as there aren't that many and it is first come first serve). And we had some great drinks and walks on the beach. Their food is also better than other resorts that we have tried - but other options are super close so not sure that should be a decision driver. It’s just that it wasn’t the experience we were looking forward to with respect to the resort and the brand. When we go back, which we will no doubt do again, we won’t be staying at the Ritz.